Why It's Important
Digital platforms for community engagement are essential tools for modern First Nations governance and self-determination. They provide accessible, two-way channels for leadership to share information with members and for members to provide input on important community decisions. Effective digital engagement increases transparency, builds trust, and ensures that community-led initiatives are truly reflective of the community's needs and aspirations. This is especially critical in remote and coastal communities where members may be geographically dispersed. As the First Nations Information Governance Centre emphasizes through the OCAP® principles, communities must control their own information. Digital platforms, when governed correctly, are a key mechanism for exercising this control and strengthening community cohesion and economic resilience.
History
For generations, community engagement happened face-to-face in community halls and gatherings. While this remains the bedrock of community life, the digital age has introduced new tools and possibilities. Early tools like email lists and simple websites were the first step. The rise of social media in the late 2000s, particularly Facebook, dramatically changed the landscape, becoming the de facto digital town square for many communities. More recently, we are seeing the emergence of more structured, secure, and private platforms designed specifically for community consultation and governance, moving beyond the limitations and data privacy issues of public social media.
Examples
Many First Nations in B.C., like the Haisla Nation, use a combination of their official website and social media channels to keep members informed about news, events, and council decisions.
The Cowichan Tribes on Vancouver Island used online surveys and virtual meetings to engage their members during the development of their comprehensive community plan.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) in B.C. used virtual town halls and online platforms extensively to share critical health information and get feedback from communities across the province.
The Métis Nation of British Columbia uses a variety of digital platforms, including a dedicated mobile app and virtual meetings, to connect with its citizens across B.C.
Software and Tools
Facebook Groups: A widely accessible and commonly used tool for informal community discussion and information sharing. Best used for non-sensitive communications.
SurveyMonkey: A powerful tool for creating and distributing online surveys and polls to gather structured feedback from community members on specific issues.
Mailchimp: A platform for creating and managing a professional email newsletter, which is a reliable way to push important information directly to members who subscribe.
Zoom: A video conferencing platform ideal for hosting virtual town halls, online meetings, and workshops, allowing for real-time interaction and feedback.
Ethelo: A Canadian-developed online engagement platform that goes beyond simple surveys, allowing participants to weigh in on complex decisions and find common ground.
Community-Specific Mobile Apps: A growing number of First Nations are developing their own custom mobile apps (often with developers like Aivia Inc.) to provide a secure, one-stop-shop for news, services, and member feedback.
Your Official Website: A well-maintained, mobile-friendly website should be the central, trusted source of official information for your Nation.
AI Considerations
AI can be used to analyze large amounts of qualitative feedback from community engagement. For example, if you receive hundreds of comments in a survey, an AI tool can quickly identify the most common themes, concerns, and suggestions, saving hours of manual analysis. This helps leadership get a clear sense of the community's priorities. The primary risk is privacy and the potential for bias. All community feedback must be anonymized before being analyzed by an AI, and the AI's summary should be carefully reviewed by a human to ensure it accurately reflects the nuances of the community's voice and does not misinterpret culturally specific language.
FAQ
No. Facebook is a public platform and is not suitable for discussing confidential or sensitive information. It should be used for public announcements and informal discussion only.
Make it easy and rewarding. Offer small incentives (like a draw for a gift card), post engaging content like photos and videos, and publicly thank members for their contributions.
It is a formal plan that outlines your goals for online engagement, identifies your key audiences, chooses the right platforms, and defines what success looks like.
Address it quickly, publicly, and directly with factual information from an official source (like the Nation's leadership). Do not delete the misinformation unless it violates your moderation policy, as that can erode trust.
It depends on the number of platforms and the level of engagement, but a good starting point is to dedicate at least 3-5 hours per week for a staff member to manage content and moderate discussions.
Pro Tips
Learn how to choose and use digital platforms that encourage two‑way communication with community members. Practise hosting live streams, managing forums, and designing surveys to gather feedback, and develop moderation skills to keep discussions respectful and inclusive. By mastering these tools, you help ensure community voices are heard and considered.
Checklist
External Resources
The Tamarack Institute: A Canadian organization focused on community engagement and collective impact, offering a wealth of resources, case studies, and training.
International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Canada: A professional association that provides resources and training on the principles and practices of effective public participation.
Hey Nova: A B.C.-based Indigenous-owned creative and digital agency that works with Nations to develop websites and communication strategies.